Rivers family alleges destruction of properties, demands N8bn compensation

The Omuogbo family of Omumeri, Imogu Omagwa, in Ikwerre local government area of Rivers state has alleged the looting and destruction of about 300 properties valued at N8 billion amid a protracted land dispute with the Omunkwa family.

The family, however, demanded N8 billion as compensation for the properties allegedly destroyed.

In a statement jointly signed by Comrade Austin Joe Ebele and Chief Alexander Amesi Ebele on behalf of the Omuogbo family, the family alleged that properties belonging to its members and tenants were looted and destroyed using “forged judicial documents.”

The statement stated that the dispute between the two families dated several years ago and had passed through different courts.

According to the Omuogbo family, it won a case at the Isiokpo Customary Court in 1989 in Suit No. ICC/25/89.

The family said the Omunkwa family challenged the judgment at the High Court in Suit No. IHC/HISC/4/90 but the suit was dismissed, with the earlier judgment upheld.

However, the statement stated that in 1991, the Omunkwa family instituted another case at the High Court and secured a judgment in its favour.

The Omuogbo family said it appealed the decision at the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt but lost, adding that it subsequently approached the Supreme Court where the matter is still pending.

“In 1991, Omunkwa family members sued us again at the same High Court and they won. We appealed the judgment at the Court of Appeal in Port Harcourt and lost.

“Presently, we have appealed to the Supreme Court of Nigeria and the matter is still ongoing,” the statement stated.

The family said a motion for stay of execution and its appellant’s brief had been filed since 2020 in Suit No. SC/CV/580/2020, while the respondents had also filed their response.

It alleged that despite the pending appeal, members of the Omunkwa family in 2021 allegedly mobilised heavy-duty equipment and security personnel to carry out what the Omuogbo family described as an unlawful execution on the disputed land.